IssueTracker

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• Description The YouTube API v3 should support programmatically inviting users (via email) to private videos. This feature is already available in the YouTube UI. But it will be more beneficial for YouTube API users to have this feature made possible through the API. Currently, attempting to perform this operation through the API of the videos.update module responds with errors, which forces developers to do manual sharing, which creates workflow inefficiencies.

Current Limitations:

1. The recipients field is ignored/unsupported in API requests
2. Developers must manually invite users via the YouTube UI, which is not scalable for applications requiring automation

• API request with parameters used (DO NOT include your credential) Passing the recipients parameter to the videos.update like below returns an unknown parameter error.

await youtube.videos.update({
  part: ['status', 'recipients'],
  requestBody: {
    id: 'VIDEO_ID',
    status: { privacyStatus: 'private' },
    recipients: ['user@example.com'], // ✅ Valid email(s)
  },
});

• Result (copy and paste a JSON response you received) This is the response to the above request:

{
  "error": {
    "code": 400,
    "message": "'recipients'",
    "errors": [
      {
        "message": "'recipients'",
        "domain": "youtube.part",
        "reason": "unknownPart",
        "location": "part",
        "locationType": "parameter"
      }
    ]
  }
}

• Expected result I expect the above request to locate the YouTube video with the provided VIDEO_ID and add the email address to the Private Sharing email lists.

{
  "success": {
    "code": 200,
    "message": "'email added to the private video and can now watch the video'",
  }
}

• Is it 100% reproducible? Yes, it is reproducible. Perform the YouTube video update via the videos.update and pass the recipient parameter along with the email address/es list/s.

• Reproducible API explorer link https://developers.google.com/youtube/v3/docs/videos/update?apix_params=%7B%22part%22%3A%5B%22status%2C%20recipients%22%5D%2C%22resource%22%3A%7B%22id%22%3A%22CgJUoQ7M0P4%22%2C%22status%22%3A%7B%22privateStatus%22%3A%22private%22%7D%2C%22recipients%22%3A%5B%22maymail%40gmail.com%22%5D%7D%7D

Extras

The feature will be beneficial because it will

1. Align API capabilities with YouTube’s UI features.
2. Reduce reliance on risky workarounds like credential sharing for manual access

This feature would be very useful in some cases like

1. EdTech Platforms: Grant students/educators access to private course videos programmatically.
2. Collaborative Content Creation: Platforms allowing multiple contributors to review/edit private videos.
3. Enterprise Internal Sharing: Automate secure video access for team members without manual UI steps.